Reactor for internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

A reactor for purifying exhaust gas in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine comprises an inner shell forming a reaction chamber and an outer shell surrounding the inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween. A pipe member extends through the outer shell to the inner shell for absorbing the heat expansion of the inner shell. The pipe member disposed for movement in the axial direction and in the direction normal to the axis of the pipe member relative to the outer shell for maintaining the seal between the adiabatic zone and the reaction chamber.

United States atent Tadokoro [4 1 Apr. 4, 197 2 [54] REACTOR FORINTERNAL [56] References Cited COMBUSTION ENGINE UNITED STATES PATENTS[72] inventor: Tomoo Tadokoro, Kure-shi, Japan 3,413,803 12/1968Rosenlund ..60/30 3,4 ,32 1 69 [73] Assignee: Toyo Kogyo CompanyLimited, Hiroshima, 86 6 2/19 Hermes 60/30 Japan Primary ExaminerDouglasHart [22] Filed; Apt 24, 1970 Attorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn andMacpeak [21] Appl. No.: 31,635 [57] ABSTRACT A reactor for purifyingexhaust gas in an exhaust gas system of [30] Foreign Application p i man internal combustion engine comprises an inner shell forming areaction chamber and an outer shell surrounding the W- 24, 1969 Japan-44/32l52 inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween. Apipe member extends through the outer shell to the inner shell [52] US.Cl. 60/29 A, 23/277 C, 285/187 for absorbing the heat expansion of theinner shell. The pipe 51 Int. Cl ..F0ln 3/10,F161 51/00 member disposedfor movement in the axial direction and in [58] Field 0 Search 23/277 C;285/187 the direction normal to the axis of the pipe member relative tothe outer shell for maintaining the seal between the adiabatic zone andthe reaction chamber.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR 4 I972 $653,205

SHEET 1. 0F 2 INVENTOR TOMOO TADOKORO WM, 0,; I BY q MTPQK ATTORNEYSPATENTEDAPR 4 I972 3,653,205

sum 2 BF 2 5 HGQ REACTOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to adevice for rebuming exhaust gas to purify the zone in an exhaust gassystem of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises an innershell forming a reaction chamber and an outer shell surrounding theinner shell and defining an adiabatic space at the outside of the innershell, and more particularly to means for absorbing the heat expansionof the inner shell due to the heat of the exhaust gas itself and thecombustion heat generated within the reaction chamber and at the sametime, maintaining the seal between the reaction chamber and theadiabatic space.

2. Description of the Prior Art In general, it is well known that thestructure of a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas may be ofmulti-layer, spaced walls forming an adiabatic space or zone in order toprevent a high temperature of the exhaust gas or the combustion heatproduced in the reaction chamber of the reactor from radiating to theexterior thereof, namely in order to maintain the reaction chamber athigh temperature or to prevent the heat of the reaction chamber frombeing transmitted to the engine room and from making the engine roomtemperature high. In such a reactor the temperature difference betweenthe inner and outer shells is extremely large with the result that thedifference of the heat expansion between the inner and outer shells isalso extremely large. Moreover, if an adiabatic insulator material fillsthe adiabatic space, the said difference of the heat expansion becomesextremely large.

If the inner shell producing larger heat expansion is integrallyconnected to the outer shell which hardly produces the heat expansion orto a flange for fixing the reactor to the internal combustion enginebody, the inner shell experiences large internal stress because the heatexpansion of the inner shell is restricted, so that a crack may occur atthe portion having a large stress concentration with the result that itadversely affects the endurability of the reactor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a reactor whichpurifies the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine to eliminatethe aforementioned disadvantages of the conventional reactor. Further,the reactor seal between the adiabatic space and the reaction chamber isretained regardless of the heat expansion of this inner shell.

The other object, advantages and features of the present invention willbecome further apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view ofone embodiment of a device for rebuming an exhaust gas constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 2 through 7 are cross sectional views of the main parts of variousembodiments of such devices for rebuming exhaust gas constructedaccording to the invention wherein like parts and components aredesignated by the same reference numerals and characters as those shownin FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, which shows a firstembodiment of the present invention, a reactor 1 comprises an innershell 3 forming a reaction chamber 2, and an outer shell 5 surroundingthe outside of the inner shell 3 separated by an adiabatic space or zone4. The inner shell 3 has a pin 6 fixed to one end, at the outsidethereof, and an axial tube 8 forming an exhaust outlet 7 is fixed to theother end. The outer shell 5 has a supporting shaft 9 and an exhausttube 10 for supporting the inner shell 3 fixed to both ends at theinside thereof. The pin 6 and supporting shaft 9, and the axial tube 8and exhaust tube 10 are slidably connected to each other so that theinner shell 3 may expand or contract within the outer shell 5. Further,an adiabatic insulation material may fill, if required, the adiabaticspace 4 formed between the outer and inner shells 5 and 3. The innershell 3 carries an opening 11 for the inlet of the exhaust gas, and thepipe member 12 extends inwardly through the outer shell 5 for fixing theinner end of the pipe member 12 to the opening 11. The outer shell 5carries an opening 13 corresponding to the position of the opening 11 ofthe inner shell and having a 3 larger outer diameter than that of thepipe member 12 so that it does not limit the movement of the pipe member12 passing through the opening 13. The reactor also comprises anauxiliary base 14 provided at the outside of the outer shell 5 such thatthe auxiliary base 14 is spaced from the pipe member 12 so as not tolimit movement of the pipe member 12. A flange 15 is fixed to the outershell 5 for mounting the reactor 1 to an engine block 16. A flat sealingplate member 20 has a disk surface 19 sealingly and slidably disposedbetween a supporting portion 17 of the auxiliary base 14 and asupporting portion 18 of the flange 15 and carries an opening 21corresponding to the outer periphery of the pipe member 12 so that it issealingly and slidably engaged with the pipe member 12. Thus, the gapsbetween the disk surface 19 of the sealing plate member 20 and thesupporting portion 17 of the auxiliary base 14 and the supportingportion 18 of the flange l5 and between inner peripheral surface of theopening 21 and the outer periphery of the pipe member 12 are very smallso as not to introduce the exhaust gas within the reaction chamber 2into the adiabatic space or zone 4. An inner pipe 22 passing through thepipe member 12 connects the reaction chamber 2 directly to the engineblock 16 to form a duct and is engaged with the flange 15 so that theinner pipe 22 is fixed to the engine block 16 when the flange 15 isfixed to the engine block 16. And, the inner pipe 22 has smaller outerdiameter than the inner diameter of the pipe member 12 so that it doesnot limit the movement of the pipe member 12. Since the inner pipe 22forms a duct of uniform cross section from the engine block 16 to thereaction chamber 2, it may lessen the exhaust resistance of the exhaustgas.

Since the inner pipe 22 is not fixed to any portion of the reactor 1 bysuch as welding, it may be treated in heat resistance separately fromthe reactor with the result that its expense is reduced. Further, sinceit employs the inner pipe 22 as double-layer at the passage to thereaction chamber 2 with the pipe member 12, the performance of thereactor 1 is improved. And, since the baffle plate 23 which varies theflow of the exhaust gas at the end of the inner pipe 22, holds thestaying time of the exhaust gas thereof within the reaction chamber 2,the burning time of the exhaust gas within the reaction chamber 2 islengthened with the result that combustion of the unburned component isimproved. Since the baffle plate 23 varies the flow of the exhaust gas,the dynamic pressure of the exhaust gas can not act directly on theinner shell 3, it improves the endurability of the inner shell 3 and atthe same time, the noise of the inner shell 3 due to the dynamicpressure is eliminated. In this embodiment, the sealing plate member 20is sealingly and slidably interleaved by the flange 15 fixed to theouter shell 5 and the auxiliary base 14, the pipe member 12 is sealinglyand slidably inserted into the sealing plate member 20 and the inner endof the pipe member 12 is fixed to the inner shell 3. Accordingly, if theinner shell 3 is heated and expanded perpendicularly to the axis of thepipe member 12 by the heat of the exhaust gas itself and the rebumingheat, the pipe member 12 fixed to the inner shell 3 and the sealingplate member 20 maintains the seal between the reaction chamber 2 andthe adiabatic space 4 due to movement with the inner shell 3 in thedirection normal to the axis. If the inner shell 3 and pipe member 12expand in the axial direction of pipe member 12, pipe member 12 beingslidably inserted through the sealing plate member 20, pipe member 12maintains the seal between the reaction chamber 2 and the adiabaticspace 4 due to its movement axially.

The second embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, a pipe member 12 passes through an outer shell 5 andafter being inserted into an opening 11 of inner shell 3, and it iswelded thereto. Opening 13 of the outer shell 5 is of larger innerdiameter than the outer diameter of the pipe member 12 so as not torestrict the movement of the pipe member 12. A sealing plate member 20comprises a cylindrical portion having an opening 21 corresponding tothe outer periphery of the pipe member 12 and a disk surface 19 ofcollar shape. An inner pipe 22 passes through the pipe member 12 and hasa baffle plate 23 at its end to connect the reaction chamber 2 directlyto the end of an exhaust manifold 24 and to form a duct. The inner pipe22 also comprises a flange portion for fixing the outer shell 5 andmounting the outer shell 5 to the end of the exhaust manifold 24 and hasa smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the pipe member 12.A proper gap exists between the outer end of the pipe member 12 and theflange portion of the inner pipe 22 so as not to limit the movement ofthe pipe member 12. A supporting portion 25 of this flange portionslidably engages the disk surface 19 of the sealing plate member 20 witha supporting portion 26 of the outer shell 5. And the sealing platemember 20 is sealingly and slidably engaged with the pipe member 12 atopening 21. Thus, the gaps between the disk 7 surface 19 of the sealingplate member 20 and the supporting portions 25 and 26, and between theopening 21 and the pipe member 12 are very small so as not to introducethe exhaust gas within the reaction chamber 2 into the adiabatic space4.

This embodiment sealing and slidably engages the sealing plate member 20by the outer shell 5 and the inner pipe 22. The pipe member 12 issealingly and slidably inserted into the sealing plate member 20, andthe inner end of the pipe member 12 is fixed to the inner shell 3.Accordingly, this embodiment provides the same advantages as those ofthe first embodiment.

The third embodiment will now be described referring to FIG. 3.

A pipe member 12 passes through an opening 11 of an inner shell 3 and issealingly and slidably engaged therewith. An inner pipe 22 has a flangeportion for mounting it to an engine block 16 and for fixing it to anouter shell 5 and has a gap between it and the pipe member 12 so as notto limit the movement of the pipe member 12. An auxiliary base 14contacts an adiabatic space 4 thereinside which does not restrict thepipe member 12. A sealing plate member 20 comprises a disk surface 19sealingly and slidably interleaved between a supporting portion 17 ofthe auxiliary base 14 and a supporting portion 25 of the inner pipe 22and has an opening 21 corresponding to the outer periphery of the pipemember 12 and fixed to the outer end of the pipe member 12 at saidopening 21.

This embodiment sealingly and slidably engages the sealing plate member20 by the inner pipe 22 and auxiliary base 14. The pipe member 12 isfixed to the sealing plate member 20 and sealingly and slidably engagesthe pipe member 12 with the inner shell 3. For this reason, if the innershell 3 expands by heat in the direction normal to the axis of the pipemember 12, the pipe member 12 and the sealing plate member 20 fxedthereto, move in the direction normal to the axis with the inner shell 3to maintain the seal between the reaction chamber 2 and the adiabaticspace 4. If it expands axially by heat, the inner shell 3 moves axiallyalong the pipe member 12 and is sealingly held between the reactionchamber 2 and the adiabatic space.

The fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

A pipe member 12 passes through an outer shell and sealingly andslidably engages an opening 1 1 of an inner shell 3. A flange 15 isfixed on outer shell 5 for mounting a reactor 1 to an engine block 16and mounts an auxiliary base 14 to the engine block 16. A sealing platemember 20 comprises a disk surface 19 sealingly and slidably interleavedby a supporting portion 18 of the flange 15 and a supporting portion 17of the auxiliary base 14 and has an opening 21 for fixing the pipemember 12 thereto. An inner pipe 22 having smaller outer diameter thanthe inner diameter of the pipe member 12 extends through the pipe member12 and moves sealingly and slidably in the direction normal to the axisof the pipe member 12 in response to the movement in the directionnormal to the axis of the pipe member 12. The auxiliary base 14 has anannular groove 27 permitting this movement. Furthermore, in order tomaintain a seal between reaction chamber 2 and an adiabatic space 4, aring 28 is sealingly inserted between the pipe member 12 and the innerpipe 22. And, the conventional reactor which does not have a ring tendsto create noise due to the wear of the disk surface 19 of the sealingplate member 20 and the supporting portion 17 and 18 of the auxiliarybase 14 and flange 15 due to the dynamic pressure of the exhaust gasbetween the pipe member 12 and the inner pipe 22. The reactor having thering of this invention eliminates this disadvantage of the conventionalreactor. A reactor in which the inner pipe 22 sealingly and slidablyengages the pipe member 12, without the ring 28, has the same effect ofthis embodiment provided ring 28.

This embodiment sealingly and slidably interleaves a sealing platemember 20 between the flange 15 and auxiliary base 14 and sealingly andslidably interleaves an inner pipe 22 between the auxiliary base 14 andengine block 16 which moves similarly to the pipe member 12 in thedirection normal to the axis of the pipe member 12. The pipe member 12which sealingly and slidably engages the inner shell 3 is fixed to thesealing plate member 20. For this reason, if the inner shell 3 expandsby heat in the direction normal to the axis of the pipe member 12, thepipe member 12 and sealing plate member 20 fixed thereto and the ring 28and inner pipe 22 move sealingly and slidably in the direction normal tothe axis of the inner pipe 22 together with the inner shell 3, sealinglyheld between the reaction chamber 2, and the adiabatic space 4. If itexpands by heat in the axial direction, the inner shell 3 sealingly andslidably moves along the pipe member 12 axially between the reactionchamber 2 and the adiabatic space 4.

The fifth embodiment of this invention will be described referring toFIG. 5.

A pipe member 12 extends inwardly through an outer shell 5, with theinner end of said pipe member 12 fixed to an inner shell 3 at opening11. An auxiliary base 14, flange 15, and inner pipe 22 are providedsimilarly to those in the first embodiment of this invention aspreviously described. A sealing plate member 20 is sealingly andslidably interleaved by a supporting portion 17 of the auxiliary base 14and a supporting portion 18 of the flange 15 and is fixed to the pipemember 12 at opening 21. Furthermore, the sealing plate member 20 may bea resilient material which may resiliently deform in the axial directionof the pipe member 12. The auxiliary base 14 and flange 15 comprisesinclined surfaces 29 and 30 for escaping the resilient deformation ofthe sealing plate member 20.

This embodiment interleaves the sealing plate member 20 sealingly andslidably between the flange 15 and auxiliary 14 and fixes the sealingplate member 20 made of resilient material and inner shell 3 to the pipemember 12. Accordingly, if the inner shell 3 expands by heat in thedirection normal to the axis of the pipe member 12, the pipe member 12fixed integrally to the inner shell 3 and sealing plate member 20sealingly and slidably move in the direction normal to the axis of thepipe member 12 to maintain the seal between the reaction chamber 2 andthe adiabatic space 4. If the inner shell 3 expands by heat in the axialdirection of the pipe member, the pipe member 12 fixed to the innershell 3 deforms the sealing plate member 20 of the resilient materialfixed to the pipe member 12, so as to move in a direction to maintainthe seal between the reaction chamber 2 and the adiabatic space 4.

The sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 6.

A pipe member 12 passes through an outer shell 5 fixed to an inner shell3 at opening 11. A flange 15 for fixing the outer shell 5 and formounting a reactor 1 to an engine block 16 fixes an auxiliary base 14 tothe outer shell 5. A sealing plate member 20 has a disk surface 19sealingly and slidably interleaved between a supporting portion 18 ofthe flange and a supporting portion 17 of the auxiliary base 14 so as toengage, sealingly and slidably, the pipe member 12 at an opening 21corresponding to the outer periphery of the pipe member 12.

This embodiment may efiect the same operation and advantages as those ofthe first embodiment by omitting the inner pipe 22 and having the pipemember 12 act as an inlet duct to introduce the exhaust gas from theengine block 16 into the reaction chamber 2. Accordingly, the pipemember 12 defines a gap which allows expansion thereof in the axialdirection of the pipe member 12 between the outer end thereof and theengine block 16. The inner diameter of which may be determined so as notto block the exhaust port of the engine block 16 due to expansion in thedirection normal to the axis thereof The seventh embodiment will bedescribed with respect to FIG. 7.

A pipe member 12 passing through an outer shell 5 engages sealingly andslidably with an opening 1 1 of an inner shell 3. A flange 15 fixes anouter shell 5 to an engine block 16. A flat sealing plate membercomprises a disk surface 19 sealingly and slidably interleaved by thesupporting portion 18 of the flange l5 and the engine block 16 and at anopening 21, it is fixed to the outer end of the pipe member 12.

If the inner shell 3 expands by heat in the axial direction of the pipemember 12, the inner shell 3 moves axially along the pipe member 12while if it expands by heat in the direction normal to the axis, thepipe member 12 and sealing plate member 20 move in the direction normalto the axis with the inner shell 3. This embodiment omits the inner pipe22 and pipe member 12 itself acts as an inlet duct to introduce theexhaust gas from the engine block 16. Accordingly, the inner diameter ofthe pipe member 12 is such that it does not merely block the exhaustport of the engine block 16 by the heat expansion in the directionnormal to the axis.

What is claimed is:

1. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, and an inlet for introducing exhaust gasinto said reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and receiving said pipe member,

e. means for slidably and sealably positioning said sealing plate memberbetween said outer shell and the block or exhaust manifold of saidengine,

. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member at saidthird opening, and

means permitting either said pipe member or said sealing plate member tomove in the axial direction of said pipe member,

whereby said inner shell may freely move bidirectionally in the axialdirection of said pipe member and in a direction normal to the axisthereof with respect to said outer shell due to its heat expansion whilemaintaining said adiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

2. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom,the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the ex haustgas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening,

. means connecting said pipe member to said inner shell at said firstopening,

e. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and positioned between said outer shell and anengine block or exhaust manifold,

f. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member withsaid third opening receiving said pipe member,

. means slidably and sealingly supporting said sealing plate member formovement in the axial direction of said inner shell and h. at least oneof the connecting means between said inner shell and said pipe memberand between said pipe member and said sealing plate member beingslidable bidirectionally in the axial direction of said pipe member,

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

3. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andfixed to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member, fixed to said pipe member at saidthird opening and lying between said outer shell and an engine block orexhaust manifold, and

e. means sealingly and movably supporting said sealing plate member formovement both in the axial direction of said pipe member and in theaxial direction of said inner shell,

whereby, said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber,

4. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positioned tothe inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andfixed to said inner shell at said first opening,

a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to the outerperiphery of said pipe member and being fixed to said pipe member atsaid third opening and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold,

e. means sealingly and movably supporting said sealing plate member formovement both in the axial direction of said pipe member and in theaxial direction of said inner shell,

f. said sealing plate member formed of a material resiliently deformablein the axial direction of said pipe member,

whereby, said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

5. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and between said outer shell and an engine block ormanifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member atsaid third opening,

f. said sealing plate member comprising a disc lying between said outershell and the engine block or exhaust manifold, and

g. means sealingly and slidably supporting said disc for movement and inthe axial direction of said inner shell, and

wherein at least one of said connecting means between said inner shelland said pipe member and between said pipe member and said sealing platemember is slidable in the axial direction of said pipe member,

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

6. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member atsaid third opening,

f. means slidably and sealingly supporting said sealing plate member formovement in the axial direction of said inner shell, and

g. an inner pipe passing through said pipe member and forming a duct forconnecting said reaction chamber directly to said engine block orexhaust manifold,

whereby, said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

7. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andfixed to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening cor responding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold,

. means sealingly and slidably engaging said sealing plate member tosaid pipe member for movement in the axial direction of said pipemember, and

f. means slidably and sealingly supporting said sealing plate member formovement in the axial direction of said inner shell,

whereby, said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

8. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhausting gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andbeing sealingly and slidingly engaged with said inner shell,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or ex haust manifold, and fixed to said pipe member at said thirdopening, and

e. means slidably and sealingly supporting said sealing plate member formovement in the axial direction of said inner shell,

whereby, said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber,

9. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member atsaid third opening,

f. flange means fixing said outer shell to the engine block or exhaustmanifold,

g. said sealing plate member is sealingly interleaved by said flangemeans and the engine block or exhaust manifold and movable in the axialdirection of said inner shell,

h. and at least one of said connecting means between said inner shelland said pipe member and between said pipe member and said sealing platemember being slidable in the axial direction of said pipe member,

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

10. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internalcombustion engine including an engine block and an engine exhaustmanifold, said reactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber,an outer shell surrounding the outside of said inner shell and definingan adiabatic zone therebetween and being freely movable relative to saidinner shell due to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducingexhaust gas into said reaction chamber and an outlet for exhaustingexhaust gas therefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member atsaid third opening,

f. flange means fixing said outer shell to the engine block or exhaustmanifold,

g. said sealing plate member comprising a disc sealingly interleaved bysaid flange means and said outer shell, and movable in the axialdirection of said inner shell, and h. wherein at least one of saidconnection means between said inner shell and said pipe member andbetween said pipe member and said sealing plate member is slidable inthe axial direction of said pipe member,

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

1 1. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internalcombustion engine including an engine block and an engine exhaustmanifold, said reactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber,an outer shell surrounding the outside of said inner shell and definingan adiabatic zone therebetween and being freely movable relative to saidinner shell due to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducingexhaust gas into said reaction chamber and an outlet for exhaustingexhaust gas therefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member atsaid third opening,

f. flange means fixing said outer shell to the engine block or exhaustmanifold,

g. an auxiliary base disposed between said outer shell and engine blockor exhaust manifold, and

h. said sealing plate member comprising a disc sealingly interleaved bysaid flange means and said auxiliary base, and movable in the axialdirection of said inner shell,

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

12. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internalcombustion engine including an engine block and an engine exhaustmanifold, said reactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber,an outer shell surrounding the outside of said inner shell and definingan adiabatic zone therebetween and being freely movable relative to saidinner shell due to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducingexhaust gas into said reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting ex-6 haust gas therefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and positioned between said outer shell and anengine block or exhaust manifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said plate member atsaid third opening,

f. an inner pipe passing through said pipe member, forming a ductconnecting said reaction chamber directly to the engine block or exhaustmanifold and having a first flange means positioned between said outershell and the engine block or exhaust manifold,

g. second flange means fixing said outer shell to the engine block orexhaust manifold,

h. said sealing plate member comprising a disc sealingly interleaved bysaid first flange means and said second flange means, and movable in theaxial direction of said inner shell,

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

13. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internalcombustion engine including an engine block and an engine exhaustmanifold, said reactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber,an outer shell surrounding the outside of said inner shell and definingan adiabatic zone therebetween and being freely movable relative to saidinner shell due to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducingexhaust gas into said reaction chamber and an outlet for exhaustingexhaust gas therefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and positioned between said outer shell and anengine block or exhaust manifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member atsaid third opening,

f. an inner pipe passing through said pipe member, forming a ductconnecting said reaction chamber directly to the engine block or exhaustmanifold and having a flange means fixing said outer shell to saidengine block or exhaust manifold,

g. said sealing plate member comprising a disc sealingly interleaved bysaid flange means and said outer shell, and movable in the axialdirection of said inner shell;

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

14. ln a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internalcombustion engine including an engine block and an engine exhaustmanifold, said reactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber,an outer shell surrounding the outside of said inner shell and definingan adiabatic zone therebetween and being freely movable relative to saidinner shell due to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducingexhaust gas into said reaction chamber and an outlet for exhaustingexhaust gas therefrom, the improvement comprising:

a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas,

b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondingly positionedto the inlet opening provided in said inner shell,

c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening andconnected to said inner shell at said first opening,

d. a sealing member having a third opening corresponding to the outerperiphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial direction of saidinner shell and positioned between said outer shell and an engine blockor exhaust manifold,

e. means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member atsaid third opening,

f. an inner pipe passing through said pipe member, forming a ductconnecting said reaction chamber directly to the engine block or exhaustmanifold and having a flange means fixing said outer shell to the engineblock or exhaust manifold,

g. an auxiliary base disposed between said outer shell and the engineblock or exhaust manifold,

h. said sealing plate member comprising a disc sealingly plateinterleaved by said flange and said auxiliary base, and movable in theaxial direction of said inner shell,

whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.

15. A reactor as set forth in claim 6, wherein said inner pipe fixed tothe engine block or exhaust manifold has smaller outer diameter than theinner diameter of said pipe member so as not to restrict movement ofsaid pipe member in the axial direction and in a direction normal to itsaxis.

16. A reactor as set forth in claim 15, wherein said inner pipesealingly engages said pipe member so that said reaction chamber andsaid adiabatic space remains sealed during relative movement betweensaid inner pipe and said pipe member in the direction normal to theiraxis.

17. A reactor as set forth in claim 15, wherein said inner pipe has asmaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of said pipe member, anda ring is inserted between said pipe member and said inner pipe so thatsaid reaction chamber and said adiabatic space are maintained sealed,while said inner pipe is moved relative to said pipe member in adirection normal to the axis thereof.

Patent No. Dated April 1972 Inventoflg) Tornoo Tadokoro It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 12, line 31 (claim 14, phrase h), delete [plate].

Signed and sealed this 10th day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOT'ISCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents -'ORM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 v u,s. GOVERNMENTPRINTING OFFICE: I969 o-366-334

1. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamBer, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, and an inlet for introducing exhaust gasinto said reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising: a. said inner shell including afirst inlet opening for the exhaust gas, b. said outer shell having asecond opening correspondingly positioned to the inlet opening providedin said inner shell, c. a pipe member extending inwardly through saidsecond opening and connected to said first opening, d. a sealing platemember having a third opening corresponding to the outer periphery ofsaid pipe member and receiving said pipe member, e. means for slidablyand sealably positioning said sealing plate member between said outershell and the block or exhaust manifold of said engine, f. meansconnecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member at said thirdopening, and g. means permitting either said pipe member or said sealingplate member to move in the axial direction of said pipe member, wherebysaid inner shell may freely move bidirectionally in the axial directionof said pipe member and in a direction normal to the axis thereof withrespect to said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintainingsaid adiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.
 2. In a reactorfor purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engineincluding an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, said reactorhaving an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom,the improvement comprising: a. said inner shell including a first inletopening for the exhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second openingcorrespondingly positioned to the inlet opening provided in said innershell, c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second opening,d. means connecting said pipe member to said inner shell at said firstopening, e. a sealing plate member having a third opening correspondingto the outer periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axialdirection of said inner shell and positioned between said outer shelland an engine block or exhaust manifold, f. means connecting saidsealing plate member to said pipe member with said third openingreceiving said pipe member, g. means slidably and sealingly supportingsaid sealing plate member for movement in the axial direction of saidinner shell and h. at least one of the connecting means between saidinner shell and said pipe member and between said pipe member and saidsealing plate member being slidable bidirectionally in the axialdirection of said pipe member, whereby said inner shell may move both inthe axial direction of said pipe member and in the direction normal tothe axis thereof with respect to said outer shell due to its heatexpansion while maintaining said adiabatic zone sealed from saidreaction chamber.
 3. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from aninternal combustion engine including an engine block and an engineexhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shell forming a reactionchamber, an outer shell surrounding the outside of said inner shell anddefining an adiabatic zone therebetween and being freely movablerelative to said inner shell due to heat expansion thereof, an inlet forintroducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamber and an outlet forexhausting exhaust gas therefrom, the improvement comprising: a. saidinner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas, b. saidouter shell having a second opening correspondingly positioned to theinlet openiNg provided in said inner shell, c. a pipe member extendinginwardly through said second opening and fixed to said inner shell atsaid first opening, d. a sealing plate member having a third openingcorresponding to the outer periphery of said pipe member, fixed to saidpipe member at said third opening and lying between said outer shell andan engine block or exhaust manifold, and e. means sealingly and movablysupporting said sealing plate member for movement both in the axialdirection of said pipe member and in the axial direction of said innershell, whereby, said inner shell may move both in the axial direction ofsaid pipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof withrespect to said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintainingsaid adiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.
 4. In a reactorfor purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engineincluding an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, said reactorhaving an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising: a. said inner shell including afirst inlet opening for the exhaust gas, b. said outer shell having asecond opening correspondingly positioned to the inlet opening providedin said inner shell, c. a pipe member extending inwardly through saidsecond opening and fixed to said inner shell at said first opening, d. asealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to the outerperiphery of said pipe member and being fixed to said pipe member atsaid third opening and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold, e. means sealingly and movably supportingsaid sealing plate member for movement both in the axial direction ofsaid pipe member and in the axial direction of said inner shell, f. saidsealing plate member formed of a material resiliently deformable in theaxial direction of said pipe member, whereby, said inner shell may moveboth in the axial direction of said pipe member and in the directionnormal to the axis thereof with respect to said outer shell due to itsheat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zone sealed from saidreaction chamber.
 5. In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from aninternal combustion engine including an engine block and an engineexhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shell forming a reactionchamber, an outer shell surrounding the outside of said inner shell anddefining an adiabatic zone therebetween and being freely movablerelative to said inner shell due to heat expansion thereof, an inlet forintroducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamber and an outlet forexhausting exhaust gas therefrom, the improvement comprising: a. saidinner shell including a first inlet opening for the exhaust gas, b. saidouter shell having a second opening correspondingly positioned to theinlet opening provided in said inner shell, c. a pipe member extendinginwardly through said second opening and connected to said inner shellat said first opening, d. a sealing plate member having a third openingcorresponding to the outer periphery of said pipe member and movable inthe axial direction of said inner shell and between said outer shell andan engine block or manifold, e. means connecting said sealing platemember to said pipe member at said third opening, f. said sealing platemember comprising a disc lying between said outer shell and the engineblock or exhaust manifold, and g. means sealingly and slidablysupporting said disc for movement and in the axial direction of saidinner shell, and wherein at least one of said connecting means betweensaid inner shell and said pipe Member and between said pipe member andsaid sealing plate member is slidable in the axial direction of saidpipe member, whereby said inner shell may move both in the axialdirection of said pipe member and in the direction normal to the axisthereof with respect to said outer shell due to its heat expansion whilemaintaining said adiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.
 6. Ina reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising: a. said inner shell including afirst inlet opening for the exhaust gas, b. said outer shell having asecond opening correspondingly positioned to the inlet opening providedin said inner shell, c. a pipe member extending inwardly through saidsecond opening and connected to said inner shell at said first opening,d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and lying between said outer shell and an engineblock or exhaust manifold, e. means connecting said sealing plate memberto said pipe member at said third opening, f. means slidably andsealingly supporting said sealing plate member for movement in the axialdirection of said inner shell, and g. an inner pipe passing through saidpipe member and forming a duct for connecting said reaction chamberdirectly to said engine block or exhaust manifold, whereby, said innershell may move both in the axial direction of said pipe member and inthe direction normal to the axis thereof with respect to said outershell due to its heat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zonesealed from said reaction chamber.
 7. In a reactor for purifying anexhaust gas from an internal combustion engine including an engine blockand an engine exhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shellforming a reaction chamber, an outer shell surrounding the outside ofsaid inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween and beingfreely movable relative to said inner shell due to heat expansionthereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamberand an outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom, the improvementcomprising: a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for theexhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondinglypositioned to the inlet opening provided in said inner shell, c. a pipemember extending inwardly through said second opening and fixed to saidinner shell at said first opening, d. a sealing plate member having athird opening corresponding to the outer periphery of said pipe memberand movable in the axial direction of said inner shell and lying betweensaid outer shell and an engine block or exhaust manifold, e. meanssealingly and slidably engaging said sealing plate member to said pipemember for movement in the axial direction of said pipe member, and f.means slidably and sealingly supporting said sealing plate member formovement in the axial direction of said inner shell, whereby, said innershell may move both in the axial direction of said pipe member and inthe direction normal to the axis thereof with respect to said outershell due to its heat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zonesealed from said reaction chamber.
 8. In a reactor for purifying anexhaust gas from an internal combustion engine including an engine blockand an engine exhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shellforming a reaction chamber, an outer shell surrounding the Outside ofsaid inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween and beingfreely movable relative to said inner shell due to heat expansionthereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamberand an outlet for exhausting exhausting gas therefrom, the improvementcomprising: a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for theexhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondinglypositioned to the inlet opening provided in said inner shell, c. a pipemember extending inwardly through said second opening and beingsealingly and slidingly engaged with said inner shell, d. a sealingplate member having a third opening corresponding to the outer peripheryof said pipe member and movable in the axial direction of said innershell and lying between said outer shell and an engine block or exhaustmanifold, and fixed to said pipe member at said third opening, and e.means slidably and sealingly supporting said sealing plate member formovement in the axial direction of said inner shell, whereby, said innershell may move both in the axial direction of said pipe member and inthe direction normal to the axis thereof with respect to said outershell due to its heat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zonesealed from said reaction chamber.
 9. In a reactor for purifying anexhaust gas from an internal combustion engine including an engine blockand an engine exhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shellforming a reaction chamber, an outer shell surrounding the outside ofsaid inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween and beingfreely movable relative to said inner shell due to heat expansionthereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamberand an outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom, the improvementcomprising: a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for theexhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondinglypositioned to the inlet opening provided in said inner shell, c. a pipemember extending inwardly through said second opening and connected tosaid inner shell at said first opening, d. a sealing plate member havinga third opening corresponding to the outer periphery of said pipe memberand movable in the axial direction of said inner shell and lying betweensaid outer shell and an engine block or exhaust manifold, e. meansconnecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member at said thirdopening, f. flange means fixing said outer shell to the engine block orexhaust manifold, g. said sealing plate member is sealingly interleavedby said flange means and the engine block or exhaust manifold andmovable in the axial direction of said inner shell, h. and at least oneof said connecting means between said inner shell and said pipe memberand between said pipe member and said sealing plate member beingslidable in the axial direction of said pipe member, whereby said innershell may move both in the axial direction of said pipe member and inthe direction normal to the axis thereof with respect to said outershell due to its heat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zonesealed from said reaction chamber.
 10. In a reactor for purifying anexhaust gas from an internal combustion engine including an engine blockand an engine exhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shellforming a reaction chamber, an outer shell surrounding the outside ofsaid inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween and beingfreely movable relative to said inner shell due to heat expansionthereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamberand an outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom, the improvementcomprising: a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for theexhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondinglypositioned to the inlet opening provided in said inner shell, c. a pipemember exteNding inwardly through said second opening and connected tosaid inner shell at said first opening, d. a sealing plate member havinga third opening corresponding to the outer periphery of said pipe memberand movable in the axial direction of said inner shell and lying betweensaid outer shell and an engine block or exhaust manifold, e. meansconnecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member at said thirdopening, f. flange means fixing said outer shell to the engine block orexhaust manifold, g. said sealing plate member comprising a discsealingly interleaved by said flange means and said outer shell, andmovable in the axial direction of said inner shell, and h. wherein atleast one of said connection means between said inner shell and saidpipe member and between said pipe member and said sealing plate memberis slidable in the axial direction of said pipe member, whereby saidinner shell may move both in the axial direction of said pipe member andin the direction normal to the axis thereof with respect to said outershell due to its heat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zonesealed from said reaction chamber.
 11. In a reactor for purifying anexhaust gas from an internal combustion engine including an engine blockand an engine exhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shellforming a reaction chamber, an outer shell surrounding the outside ofsaid inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween and beingfreely movable relative to said inner shell due to heat expansionthereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamberand an outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom, the improvementcomprising: a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for theexhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondinglypositioned to the inlet opening provided in said inner shell, c. a pipemember extending inwardly through said second opening and connected tosaid inner shell at said first opening, d. a sealing plate member havinga third opening corresponding to the outer periphery of said pipe memberand movable in the axial direction of said inner shell and lying betweensaid outer shell and an engine block or exhaust manifold, e. meansconnecting said sealing plate member to said pipe member at said thirdopening, f. flange means fixing said outer shell to the engine block orexhaust manifold, g. an auxiliary base disposed between said outer shelland engine block or exhaust manifold, and h. said sealing plate membercomprising a disc sealingly interleaved by said flange means and saidauxiliary base, and movable in the axial direction of said inner shell,whereby said inner shell may move both in the axial direction of saidpipe member and in the direction normal to the axis thereof with respectto said outer shell due to its heat expansion while maintaining saidadiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber.
 12. In a reactor forpurifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine including anengine block and an engine exhaust manifold, said reactor having aninner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shell surrounding theoutside of said inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetweenand being freely movable relative to said inner shell due to heatexpansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas into saidreaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom, theimprovement comprising: a. said inner shell including a first inletopening for the exhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second openingcorrespondingly positioned to the inlet opening provided in said innershell, c. a pipe member extending inwardly through said second openingand connected to said inner shell at said first opening, d. a sealingplate member having a third opening corresponding to the outer peripheryof said pipe member and movable in the axial direction of said innershell and poSitioned between said outer shell and an engine block orexhaust manifold, e. means connecting said sealing plate member to saidplate member at said third opening, f. an inner pipe passing throughsaid pipe member, forming a duct connecting said reaction chamberdirectly to the engine block or exhaust manifold and having a firstflange means positioned between said outer shell and the engine block orexhaust manifold, g. second flange means fixing said outer shell to theengine block or exhaust manifold, h. said sealing plate membercomprising a disc sealingly interleaved by said first flange means andsaid second flange means, and movable in the axial direction of saidinner shell, whereby said inner shell may move both in the axialdirection of said pipe member and in the direction normal to the axisthereof with respect to said outer shell due to its heat expansion whilemaintaining said adiabatic zone sealed from said reaction chamber. 13.In a reactor for purifying an exhaust gas from an internal combustionengine including an engine block and an engine exhaust manifold, saidreactor having an inner shell forming a reaction chamber, an outer shellsurrounding the outside of said inner shell and defining an adiabaticzone therebetween and being freely movable relative to said inner shelldue to heat expansion thereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas intosaid reaction chamber and an outlet for exhausting exhaust gastherefrom, the improvement comprising: a. said inner shell including afirst inlet opening for the exhaust gas, b. said outer shell having asecond opening correspondingly positioned to the inlet opening providedin said inner shell, c. a pipe member extending inwardly through saidsecond opening and connected to said inner shell at said first opening,d. a sealing plate member having a third opening corresponding to theouter periphery of said pipe member and movable in the axial directionof said inner shell and positioned between said outer shell and anengine block or exhaust manifold, e. means connecting said sealing platemember to said pipe member at said third opening, f. an inner pipepassing through said pipe member, forming a duct connecting saidreaction chamber directly to the engine block or exhaust manifold andhaving a flange means fixing said outer shell to said engine block orexhaust manifold, g. said sealing plate member comprising a discsealingly interleaved by said flange means and said outer shell, andmovable in the axial direction of said inner shell; whereby said innershell may move both in the axial direction of said pipe member and inthe direction normal to the axis thereof with respect to said outershell due to its heat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zonesealed from said reaction chamber.
 14. In a reactor for purifying anexhaust gas from an internal combustion engine including an engine blockand an engine exhaust manifold, said reactor having an inner shellforming a reaction chamber, an outer shell surrounding the outside ofsaid inner shell and defining an adiabatic zone therebetween and beingfreely movable relative to said inner shell due to heat expansionthereof, an inlet for introducing exhaust gas into said reaction chamberand an outlet for exhausting exhaust gas therefrom, the improvementcomprising: a. said inner shell including a first inlet opening for theexhaust gas, b. said outer shell having a second opening correspondinglypositioned to the inlet opening provided in said inner shell, c. a pipemember extending inwardly through said second opening and connected tosaid inner shell at said first opening, d. a sealing member having athird opening corresponding to the outer periphery of said pipe memberand movable in the axial direction of said inner shell and positionedbetween said outer shell and an engine block or exhaust manifold, e.means connecting said sealing plate member to said pipe meMber at saidthird opening, f. an inner pipe passing through said pipe member,forming a duct connecting said reaction chamber directly to the engineblock or exhaust manifold and having a flange means fixing said outershell to the engine block or exhaust manifold, g. an auxiliary basedisposed between said outer shell and the engine block or exhaustmanifold, h. said sealing plate member comprising a disc sealingly plateinterleaved by said flange and said auxiliary base, and movable in theaxial direction of said inner shell, whereby said inner shell may moveboth in the axial direction of said pipe member and in the directionnormal to the axis thereof with respect to said outer shell due to itsheat expansion while maintaining said adiabatic zone sealed from saidreaction chamber.
 15. A reactor as set forth in claim 6, wherein saidinner pipe fixed to the engine block or exhaust manifold has smallerouter diameter than the inner diameter of said pipe member so as not torestrict movement of said pipe member in the axial direction and in adirection normal to its axis.
 16. A reactor as set forth in claim 15,wherein said inner pipe sealingly engages said pipe member so that saidreaction chamber and said adiabatic space remains sealed during relativemovement between said inner pipe and said pipe member in the directionnormal to their axis.
 17. A reactor as set forth in claim 15, whereinsaid inner pipe has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter ofsaid pipe member, and a ring is inserted between said pipe member andsaid inner pipe so that said reaction chamber and said adiabatic spaceare maintained sealed, while said inner pipe is moved relative to saidpipe member in a direction normal to the axis thereof.